Laguna Seca: Audi race report

Dindo Capello/Allan McNish win at Laguna Seca Mike Rockenfeller and
Marco Werner finish third 13th outright victory for the Audi R10 TDI
In the finale of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca (US state
of California), Team Audi Sport North ...

Dindo Capello/Allan McNish win at Laguna Seca Mike Rockenfeller and
Marco Werner finish third 13th outright victory for the Audi R10 TDI
In the finale of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca (US state
of California), Team Audi Sport North America has once again given
impressive proof of the performance of Audi TDI Power. With the Diesel
technology which is set to enter the US market for road cars in 2008,
Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) were able to beat the
best Porsche in a photo finish. Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) and Marco
Werner (Germany) completed Audi's triumph in the final race of the
season with a third place finish.

It was the 13th outright victory for the revolutionary Audi R10 TDI in
its 21st race -- on a track that favoured the LM P2 cars, lighter due
to the regulations. In the 4-hour race, however, in the end the weight
handicap of the LM P1 cars was not so decisive but the enormous torque
of the 650-hp Audi V12 TDI engine.

Despite the Audi drivers dropping behind the lighter LM P2 cars during
the pit-stops, they were always able to re-pass them. In the last 30
minutes, the spectators once again witnessed a thriller: Dindo Capello
had to defend the lead he had taken from the "factory" Porsche of Romain
Dumas with Marco Werner defending his third place against the second
Penske Porsche. Twice, Dumas was able to pass Capello in traffic but
both times, the Audi driver hit back immediately. He crossed the finish
line just 0.410 seconds in front of the Porsche. Marco Werner had a
similarly slender gap, just 0.415-second ahead of the other "factory"
Porsche.

In the first half of the race, Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller had
laid the foundations for Audi success. Starting from fifth position
on the grid, it took McNish just 15 minutes to conquer the lead. Mike
Rockenfeller also showed a strong performance on his first race with the
Audi R10 TDI in the American Le Mans Seires, handing over the second R10
TDI in fourth position to Marco Werner.

Werner dropped to ninth place following contact with Stefan Johansson's
Acura/Honda causing a nose change but was able to fight his way back to
third position overall.

Quotes after the race

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "This has been an ultra
exciting race. The fans have seen sportscar racing at its best. Of
course I'm happy we were able to score an overall vicrory on a track
which was not perfect for the heavier LM P1 sportscars. It was a great
performance from the entire team. It's nice to finish the season with a
victory and a third-place finish."

Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #1): "It was very tough throughout my
two hour stint. I had little grip from the front tyres causing me to
struggle. I was really afraid that I would make a mistake because I
was having to push very hard all of the time -- I could always see the
Porsche in my mirrors. But perhaps sometimes age and experience helps
in these tense situations. This race win is even better than the one at
Road Atlanta two weeks ago."

Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #1): "This victory is a superb way to end the
season -- we pulled a rabbit out of the hat to achieve this win. We came
out on top of a hard fight against both Penske Porsches which lasted
the entire four hour duration. We always managed to get back ahead of
them after the pit-stop sequences and control the race and that was the
difference in finishing first or second. I'm very proud of the entire
Audi team."

Mike Rockenfeller (Audi R10 TDI #2): "I'm very thankful to Dr Ullrich
that he gave me the chance to compete here. It was a great final race
of the season for me. I'm happy with my performance. Despite being
very careful at the beginning of the race, I quickly moved into fourth
position. After the first pit-stop I pushed and was able to match the
pace of the three cars in front of me. This was a nice feeling."

Marco Werner (Audi R10 TDI #2): "This was exciting! This was for sure
not the best race for us but one of the best races I have driven in
recently. The fight with the Porsche in the closing stages was great
and real fun. I'm happy about the third position. Thanks to Team Audi
Sport North America!"

Dave Maraj (Team Director Audi Sport North America): "Another
heart-stopping, close race -- it was an intense battle from start to
finish. For the second consecutive race, Dindo had to withstand amazing
pressure in the closing stages. All four drivers produced great drives
to finish one-three overall. The team also have worked very hard for
this win. Everything had to be perfect in the pit for Audi to achieve
this victory. A dream ending to a tough season."